Somdev upsets India in Davis cup first tie

Christchurch: Shocking start for India! Somdev Devvarmen frittered away a two-set advantage to lose the opening singles to lower-ranked Michael Venus as the visitors trail 0-1 against New Zealand in the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group I tie, in Christchurch on Friday.

Venus, ranked as low as 548 in the singles, turned the tables on Somdev, who lost the opening singles 6-4 6-4 3-6 3-6 1-6 after three hours and 43. Egged on by the home crowd, Venus recovered amazingly after losing the first two sets and outsmarted 148th ranked Somdev to surprise the visiting camp.